ambivalence

What are opinions but thoughts of one’s own to be shared but at times best kept at heart. Those who speak too much of their own are deemed contentious but too little makes one appear detached.
Opinions formed into words have the ability to offend if not cautiously kept at bay. However, we have no claim to be annoyed if the opinion attempts to correct our wrong actions. But corrosive opinions which do little to help are better off disregarded.

Take away these opinions then, and resolve to dismiss thy judgment about an act as if it were something grievous, and thy anger is gone. - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 11, No. 18

In other words, let opinions be taken away, and nobody will think themselves wronged. If nobody shall think themselves wronged, then wrongness cease to exist. The emperor-philosopher Marcus Aurelius suggested that when you feel exasperated and out of patience, be reminded that “this mortal life endures but a moment; it will not be long before we shall one and all have been laid to rest”. What a gloomy thought to carry around!

Not many of us would get enthralled at the thought of immortality, despite how empowering and enticing such a condition would be. We have seen our  fair share of sorrow and happiness, and experienced countless heartbreaking and joyous moments. As much as we desire for world peace, we are delicately aware that the day the human race become peaceful and the wars stop raging in nations is the day we cease to be humans. Knowing the human condition, nothing can make us yearn to be unfettered from the clutches of death.

It is undeniably the very fleeting nature of life that makes life itself bearable, making every event memorable, and eliciting a passion for life in many. Would we bat an eye if eternity were bestowed to us? If we had eternity, would we then feel the need to live life to the fullest as if everyday was the last? Would we feel the need to hold on to a love or life and have aspirations or ambitions? Would we even bother to set targets or goals for ourselves? If we had eternity, we would have forever to think about.